Mrs. Clause put Santa on a diet, so now Santa does his snacking at Northside Park (Ho, Ho, Ho.) Santa was not wearing a mask (does the beard not count?) so the COVID police chased him all over Northside park. A fan of action films, Santa tried tossing out his snacks to see if it would distract the cops, but alas, covid cops are vegan.
Now Santa is in the lockup, and there will be no Christmas, period.
Christmas cannot be saved, but it’s killing Santa to think about all those snacks going to waste. I saw Santa during a recent prison ministry visit, and he slipped me a map rolled up inside a twinky. Now it’s up to us to find Santa’s snacks and eat them.
If our group is under 10 on Monday, this will be a leisurely walk in the park. If we are over 10, we will split into teams of 4 for a cut-throat, eat-or-be-eaten snack hunt in the park.
Teams will be allowed to self select around themes:
Special Mention: Shamu, Tortuga, T-Bone, Gummi Bear, and Wishbone(T-Bone’s 2.0) made the Name O Rama after touring 13.1 mi of Wheaton.
It was a gloriously warm November morning and the PAX were eager to close out on the first week of DaVinci’s madness, the last thing between them and the glories of decorated coupons was whatever came to mind in the twisted brain of YHC. With eyes on the prize they braced for impact.
Warm O Rama
Motivators 7 + 7 + 7
Batwings ICx20
Mountain Man Poopers ICx20
Thang 1: Jacked Dora 7-7-7
For each PAX, At least one hill-run (up) must be crawl-bear and another must be inch-worm another Bernie, lunge down. Reps below are split, except for Pistol Squats
700 x Hundreds (or American Hammers)
70 Pike Push-ups
7 Pistol Squats (that’s 7 for each leg, for each PAX)
Yurpee for the 6! (Just a burpee with a clap merkin + 2-tuck jumps, no big.)
Followed by a plank circle with each PAX doing one Yurpee around the circle
Thang 2: Spartan (Light)
5 x hill sprints with 10 merkins at the top
Thang 3: Yoga Time! But first, Ironsides!
Ol’ Ironsides (Boat/Canoe + IC x 20 American Hammers, repeat as needed. This time, just 2 rounds)
Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, we did some light yoga for the last 15 min to help those who plowed through the week. Table, Low Lunge, Crescent, Half-Camel, Camel, then wrapping up with Pigeon, Half Happy Baby, Spinal Twist
COR/NOR/COT:Prayers for both Cookies and Hotbox as they hit the road for work this week and for good sleep for Jazz Hands and work opportunities for his M.
14 weary-eyed PAX rolled in to AO Tar Pit at 5:30 for a post-election day beatdown. Shiplap, Tortuga, SAGA, Panhandle, Katniss, Banks, Captain Crunch, Big Mac, Sparrow, Cookies, Da Vinci, T-bone, Noodles and Gummi Bear. Many reported turning in late the night before as they anxiously awaited the election results that are still outstanding. After planting some flags, we rolled into the warm-o-rama:
7X Motivators 10 burpees 10 slow merkins IC *Head to field w/ coupon*
The Thang
PAX partnered up into teams of two
Partner 1: Runs a suicide line (3 stops with a graduated 1, 2 and 3 merkins owed at each) At the third line, PAX runs straight to the “Bearmuda Triangle.” (Bear crawl to each of three stakes arranged in a triangle, graduated 1, 2 and 3 merkins owed at each) When complete with this cycle, runs back to switch/relieve partner
Partner 2: Partner who was not performing suicides/crawls does AMRAP of exercises below until partner returns to relieve/switch.
Burpees
100
Overhead press w/ coupon
200
Big Boy Sit Ups
200
Bent Over Rows w/ coupon
300
Totals above are team total (DORA fashion)
COT: Prayers for our country as we adjust and accept the results of a close election. Thank the Lord for this fall season with beautiful weather, colors and the morning bootcamp fellowship.
Warmups
Motivator
Bat wings by @Captain Crunch (AJ),
Mountain Man Poopers to 20
Abe Vigoda
The Thing
Circle of Block Exercises: “Go With It”
16 exercises, 16 reps each
Overhead Press
Curls
Block Burpees
Hodors
Leg over block
Jump over Block
Goblet squats
Superman on the Block
Nipple Scrapers on the Block
Kettle Bell Swings
(If you remember the other 6 block exercises, please put them in the comments below.)
Broken promises don't upset me.
I just think “Why did they believe me?”.
Merkins to the count of 10.
One person, and only one, says the number after each merkin. Count goes back to “1” if two people talk at the same time.
Heroes and Villains on Hoffa Hill
(This was ok, but not as strenuous as expected. I probably won’t do it again.)
Nipple Scrapers to 15
First Nations runs with two flags, two columns.
Circle of Trust
Bonus excercises:
10 @Da Vinci Merkins.
“End on a Nipple Scraper” – @SAGA
It is my opinion that the majority of male friendships develop gradually. Rarely do you say “You and I are going to be friends, so go ahead and tell me your life story now, so that I’ll know the details moving forward.” Sometimes years go by before you find out your friend knows how to fly an airplane, speak Spanish, or catch catfish with his bare hands. Those are important details.
Today, we hit friendship head on, sharing relevant personal details voluntarily, instead of waiting for a back alley run in with a polish street gang to teach you which of your friends is a closet bilingual. Relationships were built.
Begin workout: Warm ups, with special attention to calf stretching.
Thing:
22’S
20 calf raises + two squat thrusters 18 calf raises + four squat thrusters. Etc.
Ruck to Dan Taylor Alley, DTs up to five. Ruck back. 10 merkins
Along we the way we shared important details for future friendship.
17 PAX made it out for a standard 7:00 start at MASTODON (Fruit Loops, Sparrow, DaVinci, Archive, Noodles, Wet Burrito, CATS (the Musical), Jazz Hands, Cookies, Panhandle, Bloomer, Tortuga, Smokey, Double Beef n’ Cheddar, Loafers, Big Mac, Captain Crunch). The goal was to have a good memorable time and work out like animals.
Warm O Rama:
Motivators IC x 7
Goofballs x 15
Goofballs #2 IC x 15
Bat Wings (IC x 20 on each of the following: Forward Arm Circles, Backwards Arm Circles, Seal Claps, Overhand Claps)
Duck walk to the Tennis Courts
Thang #1: Animal Travel
Bird Dog IC x 20
Bear Crawl one tennis court
Orangutan one tennis court
Inchworm one tennis court
Lizard crawl one tennis court
Crunchy Frogs x 20
Crab walk one tennis court
Orangutan one tennis court
Alligator Merkin one tennis court
Lizard Crawl one tennis court
Duck walk to the other tennis courts
Thang #2: the primate house
Howling Monkeys, circles of 8-9 PAX each.
Captain Crunch demonstrates the Bird Dog, photo by Fruit Loops
Repeat Thang #1 and Thang #2(but three times around the Monkey circle with one round of Gorilla Humpers)
10 Minutes of Mary:
J-Lo #1 IC x 15 each leg
J-Lo #2 IC x 20
Flutters IC x 50
Flutters IC x 50
Lest one think there was no method to the madness, these exercises were all core and back focused, giving a good work out to the stabilizers that we depend on to not hurt ourselves. With any luck we all escaped injury this time around and helped work those muscles that will keep us from injury in the future.
COR / NOR / COT: Prayers for strength, courage, and endurance, for the week ahead — for unity for our nation and our people and healing for our president — that we may be examples of brotherly love and faithful witness amidst trying times — for TAR PIT, it’s growth, and our finding of the people who most need this in their lives.
Every ENDEX is a new STARTEX. 14 Ruckers (Triple XXX (Family Restaurant), Wet Burrito, Cookies, SAGA, Smokey, Noodles, TBTF, Gummi Bear, Tortuga, DaVinci, Shiplap, Banks, Archive, Captain Crunch) Some old hands, some new recruits, some returning, some just waking up out of habit at this point.
All woke up slightly earlier than usual to commemorate three years of consistent effort at AO-MASTODON and to connect that with the breaking of new ground at AO-TAR PIT. Shovel flag in hand, they shouldered their rucks and started the trek. Having expressed their joy and affection in the heart-language of concrete blocks on Thursday, today they chose that brotherly, common language of time-under-load called “ruckership”.
Across differences of life experience and opinions about acceptable coffee-drinking pace and concerns about the Q’s sense of direction, the conversation flowed freely in the Gloom as the PAX rucked double-file. Work, unemployment, parenting, gardening, and the whole round world was ranged in our broad collection. YHC marveled at the assortment of interests and talents on display in such a narrow subset of individuals as had descended on F3 Wheaton in the past year. The miles ticked off quickly as the fellowship sped on in merriment.
Having received intelligence of a potential large object that could be “returned” to the dig-site of our mascot, we made a quick detour to try our strength against a discarded remnant of Perry (a broken chunk of telephone pole). While our heart was in the attempt, and even as the best among us were digging deep to soldier on at all costs, we ultimately saw wisdom less than 200 yards later. Nails, bulk, and the inability to get enough men underneath the load convinced us to let Perry repose in the Gloom only slightly nearer to our destination than before. We did however manage to bring a considerably smaller but no less symbolic relic of Perry along with us, and traded off carrying the more manageable load.
Crossing the new AO we wandered out the other side on to side streets and down dirt paths (even as the PAX’s doubts began to mount once more). But we had arrived at that forgotten remote spot where Perry had been unearthed years before. Our resident historian-bard, DaVinci said a few appropriate words to mark the occasion, and we set our relic adrift on the waters as the dawn rose.
Returning to the TAR PIT, Archive lead us in a prayer of gratitude and hope, as we asked for blessing on this AO and to the PAX who would labor there in the Gloom. Then, flag planted, and mindful of the time, we celebrated the moment with some Thrusters IC, before beginning the return trip to be present for the beatdown that was soon to take place at MASTODON.
The route home was direct, but hilly. YHC, unable to shake his one year of cross-country training, took it upon himself to charge up every hill of significant speed, exhorting the rest of the PAX to do the same. Flagging energy, but excellent pace saw the PAX quickly returned to their starting-place, to be greeted enthusiastically by the PAX who held down the day’s regular schedule. Partnering up, they moved seamlessly from Rucking to Blocks, to cap off not just an historic day, but an historic month for F3 Wheaton. And all before breakfast.
The PAX spent, they sat down to feast on burritos and (eventually) donuts and coffee. The energy of the day seemed a good omen for the group as we turned to our dual objectives of growing into two AOs and weathering the deepening Gloom of another Chicago winter.
As Shred-tember continues the valiant HIMs of F3-Wheaton have been making their mark. In order to survive the remainder of the month and keep pushing, they paused to limber up and catch their breath for the road ahead. And also to get one more coveted EC point.
Panhandle, Wet Burrito, Banks, DaVinci, and Crunch followed the flow set by their trusted yogi, Yoo Toob Vedayo. Mainly a reprise of the previous weeks to stretch out those legs and hips, YHC did add some slight modifications for warmth (it was 51 degrees at the start) and some upper-body spice with some extra sun-salutations and Crow-pose practice.
All in all another good day of limbering up despite the chill. We’ll see how next week goes as we round out Shred-tember!
COR/NOR/COT:prayers for Mrs. DaVinci on her birthday! — for Panhandle’s friends, one awaiting a cancer diagnosis and another with a court hearing — for the health of the group and Archive’s family in particular as they await testing results
While Crack had to bail to wake up early and move weight around like a crazy man, Crunch managed another ruck-day take-over in which 9 PAX (Archive, Shiplap, Big Mac, SAGA, DaVinci, Gummi Bear, Panhandle, Sparrow, Captain Crunch (QIC)) woke up early and moved weight around like crazy men. At least Crack had the excuse that he was paid. For the rest of us, grit was its own reward. The brief was very simple, with the added benefit of prepping for IPC on Wednesday.
Warm-o-Rama:
Motivators (no ruck) IC x 7
Don Quixotes IC x 15
The Thang:
400m ruck + shuffle
25 Ruck Merkins
50 Squats (after round 1, down-graded to 30 squats, but with good form)
Repeat the above 4 times, circling the park
The Extra:
The circle completed at the hill, where we marked off the distance from one fence to the other. AMRAP of the below (we ended after about 2 rounds):
20 Lunges (each leg)
Bear Crawl Ruck Drag (30m)
20 Overhead Press
Rucked to the flag for a quick set of Flutters IC x 40
COR/NOR/COT: Prayers for the people, property, and emergency workers in California and for an end to the fires. — for integrity in our work, home and personal lives — for Wheaton’s campus and the general health of our city.
MOLESKIN: On the heels of two 6-packs, finally having gotten consistent about bedtimes, waking times. (after 3 years) Really appreciating the gauntlet being thrown down this month and the opportunity to be as regular as I’ve wanted to be with my morning routines. Still approaching that 100 merkin hurdle on IPC week 3 with some trepidation, but we’ll see how Wednesday goes.
After a long week of solid posts and getting after coupons, squats, and general exertion, YHC invited and guilted various PAX down to the AO for some active recovery. The recipe was the same (see previous lists), but except for myself and Big Mac the players were all different! 6 PAX (Gummi Bear, Crack, Big Mac, SAGA, Tortuga, Captain Crunch) posted for the typical jog and some good time stretching out.
Nicely cool but no breeze. The clouds gave us a slight misting at the end as we wound down, which was well timed as a soft closing to our week. The feeling after was very chill and loose among all the PAX (check the Name-o-rama vid!).
COR/NOR/COT: Prayers for flexibility and grace with others and sustainable effort through the weeks — against injury and over extending — for the wisdom to know when to rest and to abide
F3 Wheaton 